grayson



Jan. 15, 1929. 1,699,468

J; H. GRAYSQN THERMOSTAT Filed Jan. 5, 1928 l erally, but has particular reference to Patented Jan. is, 192e.

.Tomi H. eisunrsoia,` or'soUrHGazrE, cuaresma. A ATmsjumosra'-r.l

A 'animata mea January a, i928. serial no. 244,068.

This invention relates to thermostats 11- ose especially adapted to the requirements of water heaters, oven regulators and'allied devices, and, `still more particularly, gas operated devices of that type.

The principal object of my invention is to providea snap-action thermostat of an exf tremely slmple, compact, economical, anddurable construction, and one which is more sensitive to temperature changes so that operation within a smaller temperature range is afforded, According to my invention, a snap-action diaphragm disk is provided operated by a preferably solid, non-yielding, circular fulcrum plunger, which in turn is operated directly by the thermally expan-l sible element, instead of by an intermediate fulcrum'lever, the same being arranged to give greater movement to the valve to be operated, using a disk of a much smaller diameter than was possible heretofore, all by virtue of the novel arrangement and combination of inafter.

.Still anotherimportant `object of my invention consists'in the prov1s1on of an imp'oved temperature adjustment. 4

The invention is described indetail in the ehsuing specification, in which reference is made to the accompanyng drawings, where- 1n:

Figures l'and 2 are sections through' a thermostatically controlled gas valve of a Water heater embodying my invention, Fig.

- 1 showing the parts in the pos1tions occupied thereby when 2 showing the parts in positions corresponding to the water being cold;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail to show the cooperation between'the plunger, operated directly by one of the thermostat elements, and the diaphragm disk, the amplification in 'movementl secured byreason of the combination of these' two parts being rendered clearlyfevident, and Y` Fig. 4 is a similar view illustrating the use of a modified form of diaphragm disk which, while it--secures the amplification, action, being intended for a-dilerent purposc.,\ as will presently appear.

Similar reference 'numerals are applied to corresponda parts throughout the views.`

In other t ermostats of the dia hrs type with which IA am familiar, .the

`by the movable partsset forth in detail here-v thewater is hot, and Fig.

which, in turn, is

pear how I provide a same degree 'of'- does not operate with a snap..

phragmis clamped around the edge and is worked by an ordina movement-amplifying fulcrum lever; Wl en it is realized that the amplification with these levers is usually about l to 10, the amount of Vpressure required in the operation thereof can be readily appreciated. Oneimportant feature of the device of my'invention lies in the use of a circular-fulcrum plunger, operated directly 4 thermal element, in combination with a convexe-concave diaphragm disk for the amplification,.which results in a devicethat operates with very little pressure. Still another very important feature lies not only yin the elimination of the am-4 pliied fulcrum lever itself, but also many other parts which the use of said lever necessitated; also in the use of a 'diaphragm of smaller diameter, making it possible to cut down the size of the unit as a whole.

vThe thermostat in connection with which my invention is 'illustrated comprises the usual elementsl 5 and 6, the one being nonexpanding, or having a low collicient of expansion, and the other being expansible, or having a comparativel high coeicient of expansion.v I prefer t at the movable element 5 be a rod of invar, which, as is well known, is practically free from expansion orcontractlon by heat or cold, and that the fixed element 6, the expanding and contracting element, be a brass or copper tube. The tube 6 is threaded or otherwise fixedA in a plug 7 threaded in the neck 8 of a cast hollow valve body 9. The rod 5 is adjustably secured at its'outer end in the outer end of the tube 6, as by threading into a plug 10, soldered in the end of the tube 6. vBy virtue of this connection, it will be evident that expansion and contraction of the tube 6 results in slight endwise movement of the rod 5. It will presently ap.- temperature adjustment by turning the rod 5 in the plug 10 to change the relation between it and the tube 6. The screw driver 11, provided in the plug 10, is used only Sin the assemblin of the device. Adjustment, as will present y appear, is made by the turning of a lever 12 relative to a graduated dial 13. The valve body 9 has the neck 8 threading into a. bushing 14, either in the side or bottom ofthetank'ofa gas operated water heater, a portion ofthe wall of which aptween pipes 16 and slotr appearing at versed condition, and vice versa. In other not be permitted in lsuch av construction;

snap over from normal condition to rewords, if a diaphragm -as small in diameter as the present one were clamped atthev edge, it'could have no snap action because radial expansion of the disk under pressure would In the present construction it takes much less pressure to operate the disk 4because of its freedom for' radial expansion, and there is also the advantage thatthere is little danger of the disk becoming permanently distorted. The elimination `of the amplified fulcrum lever, it should also be borne in mind, is of importance forthe reason that many other parts required in a lever'assembly are like- Wise eliminated, making for much greater simplicity and resulting in lower cost.

The temperature adjustment, as previously stated, is made by turning the lever 12 relative to the dial 13. This lever has a pointer 37 sweeping over the dial and is clamped by means of a collar 38 tothe outer cnd of the rod 24. Since the latter is pinned to the rod 5 and the rod 5 threads into the plug 10, it will be evident that vthe turning of the lever results, in endwise adjustment of the rod 5 with respect to the tube 6 and affects the operation of the disk 30 by the follower 35; if, for example,the dial has Hot ,and Cold markings thereon, theshifting of the lever toward Hot results in unscrewing the rod 5, and vice versa in the shifting of the lever toward Cold.

The invention is also applicable togdeviees where the valve, instead ofv being sim ly opened and closed'according to temperature changes, is opened more or less according to temperature iiuctuations, as, for example, where it is desired to maintain a substantially even temperature, as'in oven regulators. lThermostat valves employed for such purposes are operated as throttle valves. 'In the application of my invention to that type of valve, I change the shape of the diaphragm disk from dished, convexoconcave forni to conical. convexo-concave form, as shown at 30 in Fig. 4, inasmuch as the disk in that case is not to have a snap action. It will be observed that in that construction the end of the valve stem 23 is in direct engagement with the central portion of the disk at all times, that is, even when the disk is undistorted. Thus, the moment the plunger 35 exerts pressure onthe disk 30', tending to Hatten the same, the valve 2 3 commences to open, the opening movement being am'- plified to the extent indicated in the draw It is believed the foregoing description conve-ysa clear understanding of the objects and advantages of my invention, While 1 have illustrated and described the application thereof in the case of gas operated water heaters and in the case of oven regula'tors, it should be understood that there are numerous other possible applications. All legitimate modifications and adaptations of my invent-ion are therefore to be construed as coming within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim: l

l. In a themostatic device of the character described, the combination with a thermostatic element arranged to move according to temperature variations, of a valve or other element arranged to be operated, an amplifier disk of spring material,

means for supporting said disk about the edge thereof, anda plunger' engaged directly by `the thermostatic element and guided for movement so that it is arranged to exert pressure on the disk near the edgev -mostatic element sensitive to temperature variations, of a valve orother .element arranged to be operated, an amplier disk of spring material normally substantially conveXo-concave ,1n form, means for supporting l saidy disk about the edge thereof, said means leaving the edge of the disk comparativelyl loose and free for the purposes described, and a part engaged directly by the thermastatic element arranged to exert pressure on vthe disk near the edge thereof, the said valve being disposed for operation from the central portion of the disk.`

3.' In a thermostatic deviceof the character described, .the combination of a body member,y a tube having a rod mounted therein to form a thermostat, the tube being fixed on the body and having the rod extending into said body andv arranged to move endwise in the event of temperature variation, a valve or other device to be operated according to temperature variations mounted in said body, a` spring diaphragm disk of substantially convexo-concave form supported loosely about its outer edge in sai body With the center portion thereof disposed in operative relation to the valve stem, anda non-`yielding plunger arranged to be moved by the thermostat rod, said plunger having a circular bearing thereon to exert pressure on the back of the disk near the outer edge.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3 wherein the disk is disposed substantially concentric Wit-h the thermostat rod,'the plunger being concentric withthe disk and rod and having operative relation with the rod lcentrally ico , thereof-and operative engagement with the disk annularly and near the outer edge of the latter.

5. A thermostatic device of the character described comprising, in combination, a bodymember, a thermostat mounted thereon, the elements of which comprise a tube fixed on the body, and a rod therein extending into the body and arranged to have a certain amount of endwise movement in the event of temperature variation, said rod having an extension, a valve reciprocable on said extension to and from a seat in said body, said valve tending normally to move one Way, a; substantially convexo-concave spring diaphragm disk supported at its edge on an annular shoulder in said bodyA and having said extension passing throug a central hole therein, said valve having the end of the stem thereof disposed for engagement and operation by the central portion of said disk, and a plunger element between the disk and the rod arranged for movement by said rod in the event of temperature variation, said plunger element having engagement with the disk in a circle near the edge thereof.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5 wherein the valve is normally seated and wherein the end of the stem thereof is normally in slightly spaced' relation to the disk, the disk being normally substantially 'of c'onvexoconcave form and arranged to be snapped over dead center to concavo-convex form to open the valve, the said disk u on the relieving of pressure being arrange to snap back of its own accord to convexo-concave form and permitting the closing of the valve.

7. A device as set forth in claim 5 wherein the valve is' normally spring-pressed toward closed osition and has the end of the stem thereofp normally in slightl spaced relation -to the disk, said disk eing normally convexe-concave in form, but upon appli-y cation of pressure thereon being arranged to snap over dead center to reversed form, and including means for adpsting the thermostat in relation to the dis 8. A device as set forth in claim 5 wherein Vthe thermostat is adjustable by turning the rod element relative to the tube element and wherein the rod extension extends from the body member and is arranged to be turned for adjustment pur oses.

9. In a device as set orth in claim 5 wherein the lthermostat is adjustable by turning the rod element relative to the tube element and wherein the rod extension exmember and is artends from the bod for adjustment purranged to be turne poses, end of said extension, and a dial in relation to which said lever is'movable.

10. A thermostatic device of the character described comprising, in combination, a

an indicator lever fixed on the outer valve body member, a thermostat, the elements of said thermostat comprising a tube fixed on said body member and a rod threadedly engaged at its outer end in the outer end of said tube and extending into said body member and arranged to have endwise movement in the event of temperature variation, said body member having a cylindrical bore, a plunger slidably received in said borel for movement Ytoward and away from a seat" in said body member, spring meansV normally seating said valve, said valve having the end of the stem thereof disposed in diaphragm disk restslightly spaced relation to the central portion cf said disk, the rod extension projecting from said body member, and means mounted on the outer end of-said extension for turning the same to adjust the rod element of the thermostat with respect to the tube element.

11. A thermostatic device of thecharacter described comprising, in combination, a valve body member, a thermostat, the elements of said thermostat comprising a tube. fixed on said'body member and a rod engaged at its outer end in the outer end of saidtube and extending into said body member and arranged to have endwise movement in the event of temperature variation, said body member having a cylindrical bore, a plunger slidably received in said bore having an extension of said rod passing through a central hole provided therein whereby the plunger is arranged to have pressure exerted thereon by the rod, there being an annular shoulder defining the inner end of said bore, a s ring metal, normally convexoconcave, diap ragm disk resting at its edge on said shoulder in front of said plunger, said plunger having the face thereof conformed for engagement with the disk in a circle near the outer edge thereof, said disk having a central opening through which the ranged to be operated, a normally convexov to cause the operation of the said device,

terdescribed, the combination with a ther-A "1-5 mosta-tic element arranged to move accordand the other part being engagedl directly by the thermostatic element.

13.* In a thermostatic device of the characing to temperature variations, and a valve or .other element disposed substantially concentric therewith arranged to be correspondingly operated, of a spring metal distortable disk disposed substantially concentric ,with

said valve whereby to communicate move-v ment thereto from its approximate center, said disk being supported about the outer edge` thereof, and "a follower operated directly byvand moving with said thermostatic element and having bearing contact with said disk near the outer edge thereo 14.' In a thermostatic device of the character described, thecombination with a'. thermostatic element arranged to move according to temperature variations, and a valve or other element disposed substantially concentric therewith arranged to bev correspond- .ingly operated, of a spring metal distortable disk disposed substantially concentric with said valve whereby to communicate movementv thereto from its approximate center,

said disk being supported aboutthe outerY edge thereof, and a. follower operated directly by and moving with said thermostatic element and having an annular knife-edged shoulder on the face thereof presented to the disk arranged to engage the disk in a circle near the outer ed e thereof.

` 15. In a thermostatic evice of the character described, the combination Awith a thermostatie element arranged to move according tovtemperature variations, anda part disposed substantially concentric therewith arranged to be correspondingl operated, of a normally convexo-concave visk of spring material arranged .to be flexed to andbeyond dead center .so as to sna over to concaveconvex form by.- reason o the springiness of the material thereof, said disk beingfreely supported about its outer edge and being arranged to lcommunicate movement to the art from its ap roximate center, anda folower operated'fiirectly by and moving with said thermostatic. element and having annular knife-edged shoulder on the face thereof presented to the disk arranged -to engage the disk in a circle near the outer -edge thereof.

16. In a thermostatic de vice'of the character-described the combination with a therall.

mostatic elementv arranged to move laccordmg to temperature variations and a valve or other element arranged to be. correspondingly operated, of a. clicker disk of spring ment in the event of temperature variation a valve or other element substantially coaxial therewith arranged to be correspondingly operated but in an amplified degree, ajclicker disk substantiallyl coaxially arranged with respect to said valve supported freely .about theedge'thereof and arranged to communicate movement to the art from its approximate center, andiasinglh element means for transmitting movement directly from the thermostatic element to the clicker disk arranged-to operate so that for every slight movement of the thermostatic element there is amplified movement of the central portion of said disk.

18. In a thermostatic'device of the character described, the combination with a thermostatic element arra ged to move inthe' event of temperature variation, of a valve orl other element arranged to be operated, said valve having its stem disposed substantially concentric with the thermostatic element, a movement-amplifying disk of spring material normally substantially convexo-concave -in form, said disk being supported loosely about the edge thereof substantially in concentric relation to the valve and the thergmostatic element whereby the valve stern is arranged to be operated from the approximate center of the front of the disk, and 'a substantially non-yielding plunger operated directly by the ,thermostatic `element rand disposed behind the disk and Vsubstantially concentric therewith and with the valve and thermostatic element, said plunger being arranged in the event of temperaturevariation tocommunicate pressure to the back ofthe diskv whereby to force the same-.from convexo-concave form toward concavo-convex form.

- 19. In a device of the character described, in combination with a main body, a member adapted vto be thermostatically o erated, a thermostat adapted to operate sai member, and means for transmitting motion from said thermostat to said member, said means comprising only two elements, namely, a normall convexo-concave spring-action disk mounte in said body with a normally conland means for transmittin tively related thereto, said disk being adapted when pressed on its convex side to snap over into a reverse curvature, and a plunger bearing on one-side on the convex side of said disk near the margin thereof and on the other side in direct operative relation with said thermostat.

Y 20. In a device of the character described, in combination with a main body, a member adapted to be thermostatically o erated, a thermostat adaptedto operate sai member, and means for transmltting motion from said thermostat to vsaid member, said means comprising a normally convexe-concave spring-action disk mounted in s'aid body so that the marginal l'edge thereof is loosely supported and radial expansion of said disk under pressure is ing a normally concave side towards said member and operatively related thereto and being adapted when pressed on its convex side to snap over into a reverse curvature, anda plunger bearing on one side on the convex side of said disk lnear the edge thereof and on the other side in operative relation with th thermostat.

21. In a device of the character described, in combination with a main body, a member adapted to be thermostatically operated, a thermostatadapted to operate said member,

andv means for transmitting motion from.

said thermostat tdsaid member, said means comprising ka normally convexe-concave sprlng-actlon disk mounted in said body so t at radiall expansion of said disk .under pressure is permitted, said disk having a normally concave side towards said member and operatively related thereto and being adapted when pressed on its convex side to' snap over into a reverse curvature, and.

a plunger bearing on one side on the convex side ofsaid disk near the edge thereof and Von the other side in o erative relation with the thermostat, said disk, thermostat, plunger andl member being concentrically positioned withreference to each other.

' 22. In a device of the character described, in combination with. a main body, a member adapted to be,thermostatically.operated, a thermostat adapted to operate said member, motion from said thermostat to said mem er, said means comprising a, normally convexo-concave spring-action disk mounted in said body with a normally concave side towards said permitted, said disk hav- -member and operatively related thereto, said disk being of small diameter but mounted so as to be free to expand :radially when pressure is applied thereto, whereby it is adapted when -pressed on its convex side to ,23. In a device of the character described,

lin combination with a main body, a member adapted to be thermostatically operated, a thermostat adapted to operate said member, and means for transmitting motion from said thermostat to said member, said means comprising a normally convexe-conbody so that the marginal edge thereof is loosely -supported and radial expansion 'of said disk under pressure is permitted, said disk having a normally concave `side towards said member and operatively related thereto and being'adapted'when pressed on its convex side to snap over into a reverse curvature and to automatically return to its normal osition when pressure is released, and a p unger bearing onone side on the convex side of said disk near the edge theretion with the thermostat.

24. In a thermostatic device of the character described, the combination with a thermostati'c` element sensitive to temperature variations, .of a valveor .other element arranged to be operated, an amplifier` disk adaptedl for spring action, said disk being substantially conveXo-concave in form, means for sup ortingv saiddisk about-the edge thereof means leaving the edge of the disk compara-tively loose and free for the purposes hereindescribed, and a plunger moved by the l thermostatic` element anrI transmit its movement to the disk in such a way that for every given movement of the cave spring-action disk mounted in saidy of and on the other side in operative relaor its spring action, A'said arranged to plungervwith the thermostatic element there 1s amplilied'movement of the central por4 Join; H. eRAYsoN. 4

- ynlsc'zL/llME-.rz y A y y y 1,699,468.-Joha H. -G'ra. aan, Southgate Calif. THERMOSTAT. .Patent dated i g Jan 15, 1929.11 Disclaimer filed June 4, 1943,-, by the assignee, yson i Heatv ofi/trol, Ltd.

Hereby enters this disclaimer toclaims 20, 21, 22,'and 23 of saidvspecieation- 

